MovieBytes Interview:
Screenwriter Jon Mitchell

An interview with screenwriter Jon Mitchell regarding the American Accolades Writing Competition.

A: The script that took First Place in the contest's "Other" category is a neo-noir thriller called "Onlies For Lonelies".

It's set in Allied Occupied Yokohama and it's a gritty love story between a junk-struck American G.I and a former comfort woman.

It's my Yokohama Confidential.

A: I'd heard good things about Peter Scott from David Trottier in the Screenwriter's Bible.

The only other contest I submitted to was writemovies.com - "Onlies For Lonelies" finished top ten there, too...

A: On the Friday, I received the email from Peter telling me that I'd won and then three days later I received the check, the feedback, the Final Draft and the subscription to Writers Bootcamp...

Not a bad time frame - considering I live on the other side of the Pacific in Japan....

A: I received eight pages of feedback from the Academy's Writers Clinic - this was part of the prize package.

It was more useful than I could have imagined - lots of advice on how to pick up the second act (which I have since incorporated into a re-drafting) and a big confidence boost. They really seemed to love the tale...

A: The response, to be honest, has been incredible...

I always make sure to include the fact that "Onlies For Lonelies" won First Place whenever I contact anyone in the industry. It's opened more doors than a skeleton key...

On the back of this win, I've landed work at a Tokyo-based studio called 100meterfilms where at the moment, I'm penning a comedy. Through this connection I scored a part in a Toho Studio feature film - called Ashita E No Yuigon - to be released next year.

Also, I'm currently developing a yakuza human drama for another production company here in Japan.

The last year has been crazy busy for me...

A: "Onlies For Lonelies" was the first script that I've written - and I was overwhelmed by its success.

Since then, I've gone on to write four other screenplays. The one that I completed on the Writer's Bootcamp course finished in the top 15% of this year's Nicholl Fellowships - not bad considering I wrote it with the flu over a ten week period.

It's a suspense thriller called "Smith's Replacement" and I've just completed a re-write so now it's polished to a fine sheen, as tight as a drum with a wicked sting in its tail...

A: I'm living in Yokohama and have no plans to leave this beautiful city...

A: At the moment, I'm penning a comedy called "Negi" and a yakuza drama called "Nine Saints of Kamakura".

I also write a regular article for Japanzine on Japanese subculture.

Posted Friday, August 17, 2007